The Elephant in the room.
Newcastle United have been embarrassed in the transfer market once again. Johan Manzambi would have been a great addition to a new midfield.
He never had any interest in joining us. He is the latest in a long line of players and agents playing us for chumps.
Newcastle United are doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The definition of insanity. I’d call it rank stupidity.
Every time it happens our standing and reputation takes another knock. If we average punters can see this why can’t the army of executives at NUFC?
David Hopkinson has come to the club and is constantly giving us slogans and processes but delivering nothing. Every week I read about a new executive who’s been hired to head a newly invented department.
Our team, like any other, only gets better when we recruit and improve good, ambitious players. That’s it. That’s the one and only thing we should be focused on.
How do Newcastle United do this?
1. We can’t do it with corporate speak and empty words. (I’m looking at you David Hopkinson and Yasir Al-Rumayyan)
2. We can’t do it with the lure of London.
3. We can’t do it with higher wages.
4. A truly elite manager would attract players but we have no chance of getting one of those at present.
There are lots of things Newcastle United can’t offer but there are two things we ought to be able to do. The first is to capitalise on the thing that makes us special, our support.
The Newcastle United owners CAN build a huge, space age stadium. Something cutting edge and awe inspiring, 80,000 seats with standing areas for the ones who want to stand and sing. The envy of the world. Set ticket prices accordingly (Not ticket prices in the Hopkinson model, the most expensive tickets to the fewest fans). A place for every fan, every football daft kid who can’t get in now. Imagine the atmosphere. Imagine the impression this makes on a Manzambi or a Munoz compared to the utter mediocrity of Villa Park or Stamford Bridge.
Beyond this, the Newcastle United owners CAN outstrip Ajax et al and build the world’s greatest academy. Again space age; walking through the gates like stepping onto a spaceship. The best of everything. Lure the families of all the next generation of superstars to the north east. Steal the coaches and academy directors from the best in Europe and South America. Pay them way too much.
Both of the above are easily achievable. They have no impact on the SCR rules if the Newcastle United owners put their money in. Both make us materially better and guarantee that we improve our reputation and standing. They only take lots of money and the will to do it. The majority Newcastle United owners, Saudi Arabia PIF, have lots of money, which brings us to the elephant in the room…
PIF don’t have the will. Did they ever?
The Saudis are in a period of massive retrenchment. They’re cutting everything in their portfolio. Every proclamation of intent from Newcastle United seems like nothing more than empty propaganda from a failing regime. Every week, month and year that goes by without major structural investment sends a message to current players and potential recruits.
We need deeds, not words. The fake ambition of the majority Newcastle United owners, PIF, is the only thing that’s different from the dark days of Mike Ashley.